No raise for Gratiot County Clerk

Gratiot County’s Commission meeting was long and at times heated, as the board had a number of issues on its plate, including a request from Clerk Carol Vernon for a $3,500 a year raise.

In a three to two vote, her request was denied.

Vernon, who receives an approximate salary of $47,000 a year, said her duties had changed over the years. Instead of attending night meetings twice a month, she is now attending three. Instead of overseeing perhaps four elections, she had five last year.

Most importantly, in 2006 she had learned to program the computers for the elections.

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Commission Chair Laura McCollum said she understood that if an outside vendor were to perform that task, it might cost the county about $9,000.

“This is a huge benefit for the county because we don’t have to pay an outside vendor,” she said. “It’s not something we can make her do. On that basis, I have no problem with a $3,000 raise. I’d support it.”

But Commissioner Jan Bunting saw things very differently.

“Meetings have always been three a month,” she said. “ Sometimes we stayed until 10 or 11 at night. (At elections, previous County Clerk Pauline Merchant) stayed until 6 a.m. If you run for clerk there are things you do. Others are working 7/24. There are a lot of department heads that work 7/24. What we do for one person we do for all.”

For his part, Commissioner John Renneberg asked for a look at the clerk’s duties and salaries in similar counties.

But Bunting had more to say.

“If these people are unhappy with their position, you ought not to run,” she said.

Bunting asked if Vernon would decline to do the programming. She was chastised for asking that, but Commissioner Scott Showers said he too wanted to know.

Vernon made it clear that she had never said that.

“But if I’m to get my life back, the only thing I can see to give up is the programming and it will cost the county more money.,” she said.

Showers asked if this was going to be the start of other elected officials asking for raises because they are doing more work as well. He said priorities need to be set.

Vernon had put her request in writing in July and said that she did not mention programming in the letter.

“I didn’t say that, but (programming) would be my only option,” she said. “Something has to give. (Hiring) a part time elections clerk (would be a possibility), but that would cost the county more money.”

Bunting had a response to that as well.

“I think we should find a new clerk,” she said.

McCollum asked that board members not make any attacks on individuals.

At the end of the meeting, Vernon thanked the board for allowing her to make the request.

Linda Gittleman may be reached at 989-463-6071, lgittleman@michigannewspapers.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lgittleman.

About the Author

Linda Gittleman’s alma mater is Western Michigan University where she majored in speech and English and her hometown is Alma. She’s worked at the Morning Sun's Alma office for more than 20 years. Reach the author at lgittleman@michigannewspapers.com
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